How to Make a Homemade Charm Bracelet - Christmas Gift for Your Wife

You've seen all the ads on TV and heard them on the radio. The jewelry stores are all advertising high-priced bracelets with a homemade look for a not so homemade price. Here's how to make a great bracelet that your wife will adore for a lot less money and a lot more thought.

When shopping for beads, its best to go to a bead shop to find the best selection. You can find beads of all materials, colors, shapes, and materials. The bead shop should have beads in precious metals and precious stones, as well as wood, plastic, etc. Its up to you how much you want to spend and what is meaningful to your wife. Have fun. If you're in need of any help, the workers will be happy to help you with your bracelet.

Materials:
18 gauge craft/beading wire
good scissors or wire cutters
needle nose pliers
1 clasp of desired kind (barrel or lobster claws work best) and desired color
desired number of beads
2 crimping beads in desired color

Directions:

Step 1: Measure the beading wire to about an inch longer than the width of your wife's wrist and cut it with the wire cutters.

Step 2: Take one end of your desired clasp and loop the end of the wire around it, leaving just about a half inch of extra wire on the short end. Then, take one crimp bead and run it down the wire until it is to the clasp. Then, take the short end of the wire and run it through the crimp bead as well, so that both ends of the wire are coming through the center hole. Take your pliers and squish the bead closed. This will keep your clasp in place.

Step 3: Place your beads on the wire in your desired pattern. You can go for a more random look, or for something with a pattern. This is where your creativity takes over. Continue to place your desire beads on the string until you are about an inch from the end of the wire.

Step 4: String your second crimp bead on the end of your strand, then loop the end through the other end of your clasp. Pull the wire through your crimp bead, so, once again, it has both wires coming through its hole. Then grasping the clasp with one hand and the loose wire with the other, pull the loose wire until the bracelet is taught and then crimp the crimp bead to hold it in place. Trim off any extra wire with your wire cutters

Step 5: Wrap your gift and give her a bracelet she'll enjoy.